Exhaust tailpipe auxiliary sound enhancement hole

ABSTRACT

A number of variations may include an exhaust system that may include a tailpipe that may define a first outlet and an auxiliary outlet located upstream of the first outlet.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The field to which the disclosure generally relates includes exhaust systems for automobiles.

BACKGROUND

Traditional exhaust systems within vehicles direct noise away from the rear of the vehicle. This reduces perceived engine noise to the driver of the vehicle and within the cabin of the vehicle but may increase perceived engine noise to those outside of the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF ILLUSTRATIVE VARIATIONS

A number of variations may include a product that may include an exhaust system that may include a tailpipe defining a first outlet and an auxiliary outlet located upstream from the first outlet.

A number of variations may also include a method that may include providing an exhaust system that may include a tailpipe defining a first outlet and an auxiliary outlet located upstream of the first outlet wherein the first outlet and the auxiliary outlet may be downstream from an active exhaust valve and controlling the output of noise from the exhaust system by opening or closing the active exhaust valve.

A number of variations may also include a product that may include a vehicle that may include an exhaust system that may include a tailpipe defining a first outlet and an auxiliary outlet circular in shape and ranging from about 36 to 40 millimeters in diameter located upstream from the first outlet wherein the auxiliary outlet may be constructed and arranged to increase perceived noise within the cabin of the vehicle by about 2 A-weighted decibels and to have no increase on perceived noise outside of the cabin of the vehicle and may further include an external sleeve overlying the auxiliary outlet constructed and arranged to prevent ingress of contaminants and defining an opening projecting noise towards the front of the vehicle.

Other illustrative variations within the scope of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and enumerated variations, while disclosing optional variations, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Select examples of variations within the scope of the invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates one variation of an exhaust tailpipe;

FIG. 2 illustrates one variation of an exhaust tailpipe;

FIG. 3 illustrates a partial sectional sleeve and exhaust tailpipe combination according to one variation;

FIG. 4 illustrates a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a partial sectional sleeve and exhaust tailpipe combination according to one variation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE VARIATIONS

The following description of the variations is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention, its application, or uses. The following description of variants is only illustrative of components, elements, acts, products, and methods considered to be within the scope of the invention and are not in any way intended to limit such scope by what is specifically disclosed or not expressly set forth. The components, elements, acts, products, and methods as described herein may be combined and rearranged other than as expressly described herein and still are considered to be within the scope of the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2; a vehicle 10 having a combustion engine may include an exhaust system12 having a tailpipe 14. The exhaust system 12 may be designed to flow exhaust from a combustion engine out of the vehicle 10. The tailpipe 14 may define a primary or first outlet 16. Alternatively, the exhaust system 12 may have a plurality of tailpipes 14 defining a plurality of first outlets 16. An auxiliary outlet 18 or a plurality of auxiliary outlet 18 may be defined by the exhaust system 12 or the tailpipe 14. The auxiliary outlet 18 may be located downstream from a combustion engine and upstream from the first outlet 16. The auxiliary outlet 18 may exhaust to the atmosphere.

Referring to FIGS. 3 through 5; an external sleeve 20 may overlie the auxiliary outlet 18 and may define an opening 22 that directs the noise created by the exhaust system 12 towards the front of the vehicle 10. The sleeve may have a second end 23 that may be closed or may define a second opening 24 and may be constructed and arranged to prevent contaminants from entering the auxiliary outlet 18 and exhaust system 12. The auxiliary outlet 18, external sleeve, and opening may all individually or in combination be constructed and arranged to increase perceived noise within the cabin of the vehicle by about 2 A-weighted decibels and to have minimal increase on perceived noise outside of the cabin of the vehicle.

According to variation 1, a product may include an exhaust system that may include a tailpipe that may define a first outlet and an auxiliary outlet located upstream of the first outlet.

Variation 2 may include a product as set forth in variation 1, wherein the auxiliary outlet may be constructed and arranged to increase perceived noise within the cabin of a vehicle.

Variation 3 may include a product as set forth in variation 2 wherein the auxiliary outlet may be constructed and arranged to increase perceived noise within the cabin of a vehicle by about 2 A-weighted decibels (dBA).

Variation 4 may include a product as set forth in any of variations 1 through 3 wherein the auxiliary outlet may be constructed and arranged to have minimal increase on perceived noise outside of the cabin of a vehicle.

Variation 5 may include a product as set forth in any of variations 1 through 4 that may include an external sleeve overlying the auxiliary outlet constructed and arranged to prevent ingress of contaminants.

Variation 6 may include a product as set forth in any of variations 1 through 5 wherein the external sleeve may define an opening constructed and arranged to project noise towards the front of a vehicle.

Variation 7 may include a product as set forth in any of variations 1 through 6 wherein the auxiliary outlet may be circular in shape and may have a diameter smaller than the diameter of the first outlet.

Variation 8 may include a product as set forth in any of variations 1 through 7 wherein the auxiliary outlet may be circular in shape and ranges from about 36 to about 40 millimeters in diameter.

Variation 9 may include a product as set forth in any of variations 1 through 8 wherein the auxiliary outlet may be circular in shape and may be about 38 millimeters in diameter.

Variation 10 may include a product as set forth in any of variations 1 through 9 wherein the auxiliary outlet may be constructed and arranged to minimize aerodynamic gas rush noise.

According to variation 11, a method may include providing an exhaust system that may include a tailpipe defining a first outlet and an auxiliary outlet located upstream of the first outlet wherein the first outlet and the auxiliary outlet may be downstream from an active exhaust valve. The method may further include controlling the output of noise from the exhaust system by opening or closing the active exhaust valve.

Variation 12 may include a method as set forth in variation 11 wherein the auxiliary outlet may be constructed and arranged to increase perceived noise within the cabin of a vehicle.

Variation 13 may include a method as set forth in variation 11 through 12 wherein the auxiliary outlet may be constructed and arranged to increase perceived noise within the cabin of a vehicle by about 2 A-weighted decibels.

Variation 14 may include a method as set forth in any of variations 11 through 13 wherein the auxiliary outlet may be constructed and arranged to have minimal increase on perceived noise outside of the cabin of a vehicle.

Variation 15 may include a method as set forth in any of variations 11 through 14 that may include an external sleeve overlying the auxiliary outlet constructed and arranged to prevent ingress of contaminants.

Variation 16 may include a method as set forth in any of variations 10 through 15 wherein the external sleeve may define an opening constructed and arranged to project noise towards the front of a vehicle.

Variation 17 may include a method as set forth in any of variations 11 through 16 wherein the auxiliary outlet may be circular in shape and ranges from about 34 to about 42 millimeters in diameter.

Variation 18 may include a method as set forth in any of variations 11 through 17 wherein the auxiliary outlet may be circular in shape and ranges from about 36 to about 40 millimeters in diameter.

Variation 19 may include a method as set forth in any of variations 11 through 18 wherein the auxiliary outlet may be circular in shape and may be about 38 millimeters in diameter.

According to variation 20, a vehicle may include an exhaust system that may include a tailpipe defining a first outlet and an auxiliary outlet circular in shape and ranging from about 36 to 40 millimeters in diameter located upstream from the first outlet wherein the auxiliary outlet may be constructed and arranged to increase perceived noise within the cabin of the vehicle by about 2 A-weighted decibels and to have no increase on perceived noise outside of the cabin of the vehicle and that may include an external sleeve overlying the auxiliary outlet constructed and arranged to prevent ingress of contaminants and defining an opening projecting noise towards the front of the vehicle.

The above description of variations of the invention is merely demonstrative in nature and, thus, variations thereof are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the inventions disclosed within this document. 

1. A product comprising: an exhaust system comprising a tailpipe defining a first outlet and an auxiliary outlet located upstream of the first outlet and; an external sleeve overlying the auxiliary outlet constructed and arranged to prevent ingress of contaminants.
 2. A product as set forth in claim 1, wherein the auxiliary outlet is constructed and arranged to increase perceived exhaust noise within the cabin of a vehicle.
 3. A product as set forth in claim 2, wherein the auxiliary outlet is constructed and arranged to increase perceived exhaust noise within the cabin of the vehicle by about 2 A-weighted decibels.
 4. A product as set forth in claim 1, wherein the auxiliary outlet is constructed and arranged to have minimal increase on perceived exhaust noise outside of the cabin of a vehicle.
 5. (canceled)
 6. A product as set forth in claim 1, wherein the external sleeve defines an opening constructed and arranged to project noise towards the front of a vehicle.
 7. A product as set forth in claim 1, wherein the auxiliary outlet is circular in shape and has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the first outlet.
 8. A product as set forth in claim 1, wherein the auxiliary outlet is circular in shape and ranges from about 36 to about 40 millimeters in diameter.
 9. A product as set forth in claim 1, wherein the auxiliary outlet is circular in shape and is about 38 millimeters in diameter.
 10. A product as set forth in claim 1, wherein the auxiliary outlet is constructed and arranged to minimize aerodynamic gas rush noise.
 11. A method comprising: providing an exhaust system comprising a tailpipe defining a first outlet and an auxiliary outlet located upstream of the first outlet wherein the first outlet and the auxiliary outlet are downstream from an active exhaust valve and an external sleeve overlying the auxiliary outlet constructed and arranged to prevent ingress of contaminants; and controlling the output of noise from the exhaust system by opening or closing the active exhaust valve.
 12. A method as set forth in claim 11, wherein the auxiliary outlet is constructed and arranged to increase perceived noise within the cabin of a vehicle.
 13. A method as set forth in claim 12, wherein the auxiliary outlet is constructed and arranged to increase perceived noise within the cabin of a vehicle by about 2 A-weighted decibels.
 14. A method as set forth in claim 11, wherein the auxiliary outlet is constructed and arranged to minimize aerodynamic gas rush noise.
 15. A method as set forth in claim 11, wherein the auxiliary outlet is constructed and arranged to have no increase on perceived noise outside of the cabin of a vehicle.
 16. A method as set forth in claim 11, further comprising an external sleeve overlying the auxiliary outlet constructed and arranged to prevent ingress of contaminants.
 17. A method as set forth in claim 16, wherein the external sleeve defines an opening projecting noise towards the front of a vehicle.
 18. A product as set forth in claim 11, wherein the auxiliary outlet is circular in shape and ranges from about 34 to about 42 millimeters in diameter.
 19. A method as set forth in claim 11, wherein the auxiliary outlet is circular in shape and ranges from about 36 to about 40 millimeters in diameter.
 20. A product comprising: a vehicle comprising an exhaust system comprising a tailpipe defining a first outlet and an auxiliary outlet circular in shape and ranging from about 36 to about 40 millimeters in diameter located upstream of the first outlet wherein the auxiliary outlet is constructed and arranged to increase perceived noise within the cabin of the vehicle by about 2 A-weighted decibels and to have no increase on perceived noise outside of the cabin of the vehicle and further comprising an external sleeve overlying the auxiliary outlet constructed and arranged to prevent ingress of contaminants and defining an opening projecting noise towards the front of the vehicle.
 21. A product comprising: a vehicle comprising an exhaust system comprising a tailpipe defining a first outlet and an auxiliary outlet circular located upstream of the first outlet wherein the auxiliary outlet is constructed and arranged to increase perceived noise of a person within the cabin of the vehicle by about 2 A-weighted decibels and to have no increase on perceived noise outside of the cabin of the vehicle, the auxiliary outlet being sized, shaped and placed so as to redirect exhaust sounds in a forward direction of the auxiliary outlet and away from bystanders. 